Stormers get Bok boost

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The DHL Stormers have received a vital shot of experience as they muscle up for an all-Scotland front row in their Vodacom URC clash with Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch.

DHL Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed that both Frans Malherbe and Manie Libbok were ready to train on Monday ahead of what is set to be their first Vodacom URC game of the season.

Libbok is likely to take back the No 10 jersey, with Damian Willemse set to shift to centre or fullback after an excellent performance at flyhalf against Munster in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, Malherbe could come in as the starting tighthead prop, with Neethling Fouche dropping to the bench, as the Stormers prepare to take on a Glasgow pack stacked with Scotland internationals.

The defending URC champions are coming off a narrow loss to the Sharks in Durban, where they held their own against the Springbok front-row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch.

"Glasgow has a good scrum,” Fouche said. “You don't win a final without having a good scrum. We watched how they scrummed against the Sharks in Durban and saw that they gave a good account of themselves against Ox, Bongi and Vincent.

“We know that we have to be ready for this game. We have to be at our best. This is what you look forward to as a prop, going up against internationals and testing yourself.

“I don't know how many scrums there are going to be in a dry weather game. We might have to search for them. Maybe I will knock the ball on when they pass to me, just to make sure we get a scrum,” he added with a laugh.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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